Happy Days star Marion Ross on playing Mrs Cunningham

MOTHERING Richie Cunningham and trading quips with The Fonz, 85-year-old Marion had the time of her life

Actress Marion Ross played the mother of Richie Cunningham for 10 years [GETTY]

“This is a lovely photo of the Happy Days cast and brings back many good memories of playing Marion Cunningham. She was a sweet woman and very protective of her husband, Howard, ensuring their children treated him with respect. She didn’t look like the brains of the outfit, but she was.

I was working on the movie Airport when I got the part. One day in 1970 I met a casting director who said I’d make a good mother for Ron Howard, who played Richie Cunningham in the series – it was as simple as that.

We did a pilot but ABC TV decided against making a series. Then the film American Graffiti came out in 1973 and reignited interest in the 1950s, so they had second thoughts. That’s when The Fonz was introduced, although initially he wore a gabardine jacket – the leathers came later.

A series was commissioned but it took a while to attract an audience. Then it just took off, and Henry Winkler, who played The Fonz, and Scott Baio, who was Chachi, were being mobbed in the street.

I received lots of lovely letters from fans, many saying they wished they had a mother like Mrs Cunningham. Even now, people still ask about Mrs C, as The Fonz called her, and it’s amazing how many still recognise my voice.

The 85-year-old actress is still active, she recently played in a play about Sherlock Holmes [S MAG]

My daughter, Ellen was a writer on Friends and now works for Warner Brothers

Marion Ross

The cast got on famously and the atmosphere was always fun. We were like a family. Most programmes have a lifespan of about eight years before everyone’s increasing salaries mean it becomes less profitable, but we kept Happy Days going for 10 – partly because we had a softball team.

The Happy Days’ team competed at all the major ballparks in the States, and we also visited the East German border and played a game with the US Army. Everyone took part – including me.

Even then, no one dreamed that Happy Days would become an international phenomenon, but it has been shown worldwide and hasn’t really stopped. I’m so proud of the show that my house in California is called Happy Days Farm.

Sadly, my long-time partner, Paul, died in 2011. But I have two children – Ellen, who was a writer on Friends and now works for Warner Brothers, and Jim, an actor.

It was a shame when Happy Days finished but we all expected it. Now there is a musical of the show touring the UK, and I saw a production here in the States. Initially it was strange seeing other people playing the characters but I’ve watched it again and I think it’s fabulous.

Fortunately, since I stopped playing Mrs Cunningham I’ve stayed busy. Recently I appeared in Holmes for the Holidays, a play about Sherlock Holmes.I wanted to be an actress from the age of 13 and I hope to continue working. I may be a senior citizen now, but I’m hale and hearty and I just want to keep acting.”

The musical Happy Days, which features Cheryl Baker playing Mrs Cunningham, is touring until June 21. For further information, and tickets, visit happydaysthemusical.co.uk